Coin controlled switch



Feb. 1, 1944. P. u. LANNgD COIN ('IONTROLIQJS SWITCH Original FileNOv. l2, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l l! I mw.. m EN N Il HW/lmw. m :L um

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Feb. l, 1944. P. u. LANNERD COIN CONTROLLED SWITCH original Filed Nov. 12, 1940 2 sheets-sheet 2 l l l l l I 1 l l c l n l I l l l l l l ATTORNEY:

Patented Feb. 1, 1944 COIN CONTROLLED SWITCH Paul U. Lannerd, Indianapolis, Ind., assignor to Homer E. Capehart, Washington, Ind.

original application November 12, 1940, serial Nu'.- 365,174. Divided and this application January 7, 1942, serial No. 425,811

11 Claims.

My invention relates to sound-reproducing systems of the type in which a sound reproducing mechanism selectively operable vto reproduce any j of a number of available sound recordings is con`- trolled by one or more coin-operated remote control devices. In such systems as commonly larranged, the sound-reproducing mechanism is electrically operated and controlled, and the remote control unit includes a manually operated selector switch, the setting of which determines the recording to be reproduced, and a coin-operated actuating switch which initiates operation of the sound reproducing mechanism to causeit to reproduce the recording selected. This invention is directed to remote control devices suitable for use in sound reproducing systems of the type referred to.

Among the more important objects of my invention are to provide a-remote control device which will make substantially impossible the obtaining of a number of reproductions greater than that for which coinsA have been deposited, and to provide for the return of any coin deposited when the control device is not properly adjusted to effec't the reproduction of recordings.

In the ordinary sound-reproducing system of the type to which my invention is directed, the sound reproducing mechanism is conditioned to reproduce any given selection by a manually controlled selector switch incorporated in the remote control unit, and reproduction of the desired recording is initiated by the momentary closing of a V coin-,operated switch to which coins are delivered from a coin'receiver. The coin receiver operates to reject defective coins and slugs and possesses a coin channel through which good coins are delivered to the coin-operated switch, such coin channel being provided with an intermediate opening through which coins or slugs may be deiiected to a rejection passage leading to a point outside the casing. In embodying my invention in a remote control device including a selector switch and a coin receiver of the type described, I associate with the coin channel of the receiver and adjacent the intermediate opening thereof a movable defiector which is jointly operable with the selector switch and which serves to deect into the intermediate outlet any coins or slugs passing through the channel when the selector switch is not properly set.

The accompanying drawings illustrate my invention: Fig. 1 is a vertical section through a remote control unit on the line I- I of Fig. 2; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through a remote control unit on theline 2-2 of Fig. l; Fig. 3 is a fraginental vertical section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a iragmental horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3; and Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electrical circuits employed.

The particular remote control unitxillustrated in the drawings is more fully illustrated and described in the'co-pending application of Edward E. Collison and myself, Serial No. 365,174, filed November 12, 1940, of which co-pending application the instant one is a division. This unit, which is intended primarily for mounting on a wall, comprises a frame having a back wall l0, a bottom wall Il, and a top wall I2. Associated with this frame is a removable cover l5 which, with the frame, constitutes a casing in which the movable parts of the remote control unit are housed. Supported within this casing upon a bracket 25 is a disk 26 of insulating material,

through which there extends a switch-operating shaft 28. The ends of this shaft project through the side walls of the casing and are provided exteriorly thereof with operating knobs 30 by means of which the shaft may be rotated. The disk 26 carries an annular series of switch-contacts 32 with which there co-cperates one end of a movable contact 33 rotatable with the shaft 28. The opposite end of the movable contact 33 engages an annular fixed contact 34which, by suitably positioning the shaft 28 and the movable contact 33, may be electrically connected to any one of the fixed contacts 32, thusl conditioning the sound-reproducing mechanism, by means hereinafter described, for reproduction of any of the available recordings. Y

To indicate to the operator the title of the recording which the sound reproducing mechanism 4 is conditioned to reproduce, there ismounted on the shaft 28 a cylindrical drum 3E provided with a circumferential series of axially extending slots or openings in whichthere are respectively disposed cards 39 bearing the titles of the available recordings. The cover I5is provided in its front wall with a transparent window 4|) through which a number of successive cards 39 are visible; and associated with such window there is an index (not shown) indicating the title of the recording which the sound reproducing mechanism is conditioned to reproduce. l

For the purpose of insuring proper engagement between the outer end of the movable contact 33 and each of the fixed contacts 32, there is secured to the drum 36 a toothed wheel 45 having an annular series of teeth corresponding in number to the iixed contacts 32 and slots 3l. Receivable in the spacesbetween the teeth oi the wheel a roller 44 mounted on the outer end of a lever 41 which is pivoted to the bracket 25 at 48 and yieldingly urged toward the wheel 45 as by a h' tension spring 49 acting between the lever 41 and the bracket 25. The contact 33, the drum 36, and the toothed wheel 45 are so disposed angularly about the axis of the shaft 28 that when any title card .38 .is in linewith the index the roller 46 will bei firmly" seated in one of the spaces between the teeth of the wheel 45 and the outer end of the movable contact 33 will be in proper engagement with one of the fixed contacts 32.

vThe selector switch comprising the contacts by slugs or defective coins.

operated switch comprisinga' pair of normallys separated, spring-mounted contacts 5l and 52 (Fig. l). Associated I.with the contacts 5I' and 52is a pivotally mounted bell-crank 53 one arm of whichprojects horizontally in position to be. engaged and depressedby a coin discharged from the coin receiver 54. The other arm of the bellcrank 53 projects downwardly in association with the contact '5| in position to force it into engagement with the contact 52 when the horizontal arm of the bell-crank is momentarily depressed by the impact of a coin upon it. The coin receiver 54, which includes slug-rejector mechanism, may take any desired form and is disposed to receive a coin deposited in a slot 55 provided in the top wall I2 of the casingframe. The coin receiver, whatever its form, has a discharge opening 56 (Fig. 3) for good coins, such opening being located above the bell-crank 53 so that coins falling from it will impingevupon the bell-crank and momentarily close the switch 5|-52. more dischargeopenings for rejected coins or slugs, suchopenings being positioned so that :a coin or slug falling through them will not strike the bell-crank 53. Preferably, the opening or openings for rejected coins or slugs are arranged to discharge into a channel 51 leading to a recovery opening in the side wall of the casing I5, as

will be clear from Fig. 3.

' contacts 32 during the brief interval in 'which the coin-operated switch -5I52 is closed. Owing to the manner iny which selective sound-repro- 4ducers subject to vremote control are ordinarily constructed, engagement of the movable contact 33 with al plurality of fixed contacts 32 during The coin-receiver also includes one or.

initial rejecting mechanism :ons dwanln- Vclined ledge 60 and impingesupon the inclined face of an anvil 6| from which it rebounds laterally through a coin channel 62. Most nonferrous metal slugs rebound from the anvil 6l with less velocity than do sound coins, and advantage is taken of this characteristic to reject certain slugs capable of passing the initial slugrejectingr means `of the coin receiver. JTo this end, there is provided in the channel 62 a divider 63 positioned to be cleared by sound coins rebounding Vfrom 'the anvil 6| but to be struck Such coins which clear the divider 63 are directed to the discharge opening 56v above the bell-crank 63, while slugs or unsound coins strike the divider 463 and fall through an intermediate outlet 64 in the channel 62 into the channel 51, through which they are returned.

The means which I prefer to employ for preventing the discharge of the coin through the opening 56 on to the bell-crank 53 when the shaft 28 is being rotated or oscillated in an attempt to obtain the reproduction o f a plurality of recordings for the price of one desirably takes the form of a leaf spring 66 secured at one end .on the front face of the coin receiver 64 and carrying at its other end a pin 61 adapted to be the interval in which the switch 5|-52 is closed would result in the successive reproduction of a corresponding number of recordings. To prevent this; `I incorporate in association withthe coinsreceiver 54 a means which prevents a coin from reaching the discharge opening 56 when the shaft 28 is being rotated or oscillated. Such a Lmeans conveniently takes the form of a deector movable underthe control of the shaft 28 into the coin channel of the coin receiver 54 and operative when in such channel to prevent acoin from reaching the discharge opening 56.

In the particular form of coinreceiver indicated in the drawings, the .coin or slug deposited rst passes through means effective to reject ferrous metal slugs and slugs or coins ot improper size. Any coin or slug which passes this advanced into the coin channel 62 in such a position that it will be struck by a coin rebounding from the anvil 6I and will deflect such coin into the opening 64. The spring 66 is so shaped that normally the pin 61. lies outside the channel 62 in the position illustrated in Figs. 2 and 4; but the lever 41 is provided with an integral arm 68 which engages the spring 66 to distort it and force the pin 61 into the channel 62 whenever the roller 46 is passing over one of the teeth of the toothed wheel 45.

As a result of the construction just described, any attempt to secure the reproduction of more than-one recording by rapid rotation or oscillation of theshaft 28 will cause the pin 28 to be repeatedly interposed into the channel 82, where it will prevent the passage of a coin to the discharge opening 56 and will cause the coin to drop through the opening 54 into the channel 51 for return to the operator.

For the purpose of illuminating the titles of available recordings on the circumference of the drum 36, the cards 38 bearing such titles may be of translucent materialvand a'lamp 10 may be mounted within the drum in line with the window 40. A second lamp 13 may be employed to illuminate atranslucent window 15 mounted over an opening in the upper portion, of the cover l5 and bearingl directions for operation ofthe remote control device.

The recording-selecting mechanism as well as other elements of the selective sound-reproducer may take any desired form, as my invention is not concerned with the construction of this portion of the system.V Practicable record-selecting means of several different forms are on the market and well known, and it will therefore be unnecessary for us to describe them in detail herein. In general, such mechanisms embody a plurality of electro-magnetic devices such as relays or solenoids selectively operable to determine the recording which is to be reproduced. In Fig. 5, I have illustrated two of a series of such electro-magnetic devices, the same being solenoids selectively operable under the control of the selector switch 32-33-34. It will be understood that the number of solenoids 85 or other'electro-magnetic 'devices in the recording-selecting mechanism will correspond to the number of fixed contacts 32 in theselector switch.

solenoid is energized to control the recordselecting mechanism in well known manner to cause it, when its operation is later initiated, to v select and present for reproduction a particular one of the plurality of recordings available. Each core 88 carries an electrical bridge contact 81 movable with the core and adapted to Yconnect a fixed contact 88 either to an outer fixed contact 89 or an inner fixed contact 90. The iixed contacts 88 of the several solenoids 85 are connected to a common conductor 9|, while the inner fixed' contacts 90 of the several solenoids are connected to a second common conductor 92. Each-of the outer ixed contacts 89 is connected to one en d of the winding of its associated solenoid; and the other ends of the solenoid windings are respectively connected by wires 93 to the fixed contacts 32 ofv the selector switch.

A source of current, such as the secondary 95 of a transformer 98, has` one terminal connected to the conductor 9| and the other terminal .connected through a conductor 98' and the coinoperated switch 5|-52 to the common contact 88 of the selector switch. A relay 91, having its winding connected between the conductors 92 and 98', controls the supply of current to the driving motor 98 of the selective sound reproduoer and to the actual reproducing mechanism indicated diagrammatically at 99 and ordinarily comprising a pick-up, an amplifier, and a speaker.

When the system is not operating, all cores 88 of the several soienoids`85 are retracted, or in the full-line positions illustrated in the case of the two solenoids 85 shown in Fig. 5, and each of the bridge contacts 81 establishes a connection between the contact 88 and the outer contact 89. To operate the device, the operator rst rotates the shaft 28 by one or the other of the knobs 30 until the title of the desired recording comes into line with the index on the face of the cover I5 to prepare for completion a circuit including that solenoid 85 whose core 88, when advanced, will control the selecting mechanism of the selective sound reproducer to cause it to present the desired recording to the sound-reproducing mechanism for reproduction. In Fig. 5, the movable contact 33 of the selector switch is shown in engagementl with that one of the fixed contacts 32 which is connected to the second of the two illustrated solenoids 85, and it will be this solenoid which will be actuated upon the deposit of a coin.

When a coin is deposited it impinges upon the bell-crank 53, closes the switch .5I-52 and completes a circuit extending from one terminal of the transformer-secondary 95 through the conductor 9|, the contacts 88, 81, and 89 of the second solenoid 85, the winding of such solenoid,`

the associated conductor 93, the selector switch, the coin-operated switch, andthe conductor 98' to the opposite terminal of the transformersecondary. The resultant energization of the solenoid 85 advances the associated core 88, interrupts the circuit just described by breaking the connection between the contacts 88 and 89, and

completes a second circuit extending from one terminal of the transformer-secondary 95 through the conductor 9|, the contacts 88, 81, and 90 of the second solenoid, the conductor 92 and the recording which corresponds to the solenoid 88' relay 81 to the opposite terminal of the transformer-secondary. 'Ihe resultant energization of the relay 91 effects the supply of current to the motor 98 and sound reproducing mechanism 88. and the' selecting Amechanism of the sound repro- Aducer thereupon operates to bring into association with the sound Kreproducing mechanism that whose core 88 has been advanced.

In many of the record-selecting mechanisms now in use the core 88 of the solenoid corresponding to the recording being reproduced is mechanically restored to its retracted position before the playing of a recording is completed. To prevent such retraction of the solenoid core -from opening the relay 91 and therebyk interrupting the supply of current to the motor 98 and sound-reproducing mechanism 99, itis customary to employ a holding switch |0| which is connected across the conductors 9| and 92 and which is controlled by a cam |02, such cam being driven by the motor 98 in well known manner. The cam |02 is so shaped as to close the switch |0I after the reproduction of a recording has begun and before the solenoid-core A88 has been mechanically retracted in the manner above indicated, and to maintain the switch I0| closed until the playing of the recording has been completed. After 'the solenoid-core 88 has been retracted to break the connection between the contacts 88 and 90, the circuit through the winding of the relay 91 isl maintained closed by the switch |0I; but when the playing'of the recording is completed, the cam |02 opens the switch |0|, causes de-energization of the relay 91y and'interrupts the supply of current to the driving motory 98 and sound-reproducing mechanism 99.

If the lamps 10 and 13 on the remote control device operate at a voltage different from the remainder of the control system, as is usually the case, they may be supplied with current through conductors |03 leading from opposite endsY of an auxiliary secondary |04 of the trans- :former 98. The conductors 93, 98, and |08, between the remote co'ntrol device and the selective sound-reproducer are desirably embodied in a single cable. If a plurality of remote control devices are used in association with a single selective sound-reproducer, the several remote control devices are connected in parallel.

From the abovedescription of the electrical circuits, it will be apparent that engagement of the movable contact 33 of the selector switch with a plurality of contacts 32 during the interval in which the coin-operated switch 5|52 is closed would result in the energization of a corresponding number of solenoids 85. If this should occur, the conductors 9| and 92 would be interconnected through Aa plurality of switches 88-81-90, and the circuit including the winding of the relay 91 would remain closed when the switch |0| is opened upon the completion of the playing ofthe rst recording. As a result, the selective sound reproducer would continue to operatev to reproduce successive recordings until all the. solenoid cores 88 had been retracted. (By

- tion the pin insures the return of any coin which passes through the coin channel when the movable switch contact 33 is held between two adjationary contacts to select an electromagneticA device for energization, a coin-operated switch operable to cause energization of the selected electromagnetic device, a coin receiver having a coin channel for delivering a coin to said coinoperated switch, said coin channel having an intermediate outlet through which coins or slugs may pass without operating said coin-operated switch, a normally retracted deflector associated erable to .cause reproduction of any of a plurality of selections, said remote control vdevice comprising a selector switch having a series of fixed contacts respectively connectible to said electromagnetic elements and a manually movable con- 5. In a coin-operated control device for a se- I lective sound-reproducing mechanism selectively operabley to reproduce any of a number of rewith said coin channel and movable thereinto to l deiiect a coin to said intermediate outlet, and

mechanism operable jointly with the movable contact of said selector switch for advancing said A deector into said channel whenever said movable contact is disposed between adjacent ones of said stationary contacts.

2. A coin-operated control device for a sound reproducer having mechanism including a plurality of electro-magnetic elements selectively operable to cause reproduction of any of a. plurality of selections, said remote control device comprising a selector switch having a series of fixed contacts respectively connectible to said electro-,magnetic elements and a manually movable contact engageable with any of said stationary contacts to select an electromagnetic device for energization, a coin-operated switch operable to cause energization of the selected lectromagnetic device, a coin receiver having a coin channel for delivering a coin to said coin-operated switch, said coin channel having an intermediate outlet through which coins or slugs may pass without operating said coin-operated switch, and mechanism operated jointly with said movable contact for deilecting into said intermediate outlet any coin passing through said channel when said movable contact is disposed between adjacent ones of said stationary contacts.

3. A coin-operatedcontrol device for a sound reproducer having mechanism including a plurality of electro-magnetic elements selectively op-y erable to cause reproduction of any of aplurality of selections, said remote control dbvice comprising a selector switch having a series of ilxed contacts respectively connectible to said electromagnetic elements and a manually movable contact engageable with any of said stationary contacts to select an electromagnetic device for energization, a coin-operated switch operable to cause energization of the selected electromagnetic device, a coin receiver having va coin channel for delivering a coin to said coin-operated switch, a normally retracted obstruction associated with said channel and movable thereinto to "prevent the delivery of a coin to said coin-l operated switch, and means for moving said obstruction into said channel whenever said movable contact is disposed between adjacent ones of said fixed contacts. l

4. A coin-operated control device for a sound reproducer having mechanism including a plurality of electromagnetic elements selectively oplective sound-reproducing mechanism selective-` lyoperable to reproduce any of a number oi' recordings, a manually operated selector having a. control member successively movable to any of a plurality of controlling positions to select a recording to be reproduced, a coin-operated device for initiating reproduction of the selected recording, a coin receiver having a coin channel for conducting a coin to said coin-operated device,v

said channel being provided with an intermediate outlet opening through which coins or slugs may pass without operating said coinoperated device, and'deecting means associated with said channel and operable jointly with said control member for defiecting to said intermediate outlet any coin passing through the channel when said control member is disposed between adjacent ones of said controlling positions.

7. In-a coin-operated control device for a selective sound-reproducing mechanism selectively operable to reproduce any of a number of recordings, a selector for selecting the recording to be reproduced, said selector being freely operable at all times, a coin-controlled actuator for initiating reproduction of the selected recording, a coin receiver having a coin channel for conducting a coin to said actuator, and mechanism operated jointly with said selector for preventing a coin in said channel from reaching said actuator except when said selector is set to eiect the reproduction of a single recording.

8. In a coin-operated control device for a selective sound-reproducing mechanism having a plurality of electro-magnetic devices selectively operable to reproduce any of a number of recordings, a selector switch comprising a series of sta.- tionarycontacts adapted for connection to said electro magnetic devices respectively and a movable contact selectively movable into engagement with any of said stationary contacts, meansl for moving said movable contact, a coin-controlled actuator for initiating reproduction of the seasians lected recording, a coin receiver having a coin channel for conducting a coin to said actuator, and mechanism operative to prevent a coin in said channel from reaching said actuator, said mechanism being controlled by said contactmoving means.

9. In a coin-operated control device for a selective sound-reproducing mechanism having a plurality of electro-magnetic devices selectively operable to reproduce any of a number of recordings, a selector switch comprising a series of stationary contacts adapted for connection to said electro-magnetic devices respectively and a movable contact selectively movable intoV engagement with any of said stationary contacts, means for moving said movableV contact, a coin-controlled actuator for initiating reproduction of the selected recording, a coin receiver having a coin channel for conducting a coin to -said actuator, said channel having an intermedaite outlet through which coins and slugs` can pass without operating said actuator, and mechanism controlled jointly with said movable contact for deiiecting a coin in said channel into said intermediate opening.

l0. In a coin-operated control device for a se. lective sound-reproducing mechanism selectively operable to reproduce any of a number of recordings, a selector for selecting the recording to be reproduced, a coin-controlled actuator for initiating reproduction of the selected recording,

a coin receiver having a coin channel for conducting a coin to said actuator, said receiver being provided with a coin receptacle and a coinreturn opening, and mechanism operated jointly with-said selector for directing. to said receptacle any coin passing through said channel whensaid selector is set in a condition to eiect the reproduction of a single recording and to said coin-return opening any coin passing through said channel when said selector is in any other condition.

11. In combination, a selective sound-reproducing mechanism having a plurality of electromagnetic devices selectively operable to reproduce any of a number of recordings, rselector switch mechanism for establishing a connection to any of said devices, a coin controlled actuator for completing a circuit through any electro-magnetic device to which a connection is established by said selector switch, a coin receiver having a channel for conducting a coin to said actuator, said coin-receiver also having a coin receptacle and a coin-return opening, and mechanism controlled jointly with said selector switch for directing to said receptacle any coin passing through said channel when said selector switch is set in a condition to establish a connection to a single one of said electro-magnetic devices and to said coin-return opening any coin passing through said channel when said selector switch is in any other condition.

PAUL U. LANNERD. 

